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Lesson 5

We will begin crafting our definition of a change agent based on text evidence, and we will learn about and apply rhetorical constructs to a historical speech in order to continue building our foundational knowledge on how change happens and what characteristics change agents possess.

Lesson Goals

  • Can I use a variety of strategies (e.g., context clues, word study, and vocabulary resources) to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words related to change agents?

  • Can I gather and organize relevant and sufficient evidence to demonstrate an understanding of texts and topics, support claims, and develop ideas about change agents?

  • Can I recognize and interpret an author’s use of rhetorical strategies to deepen my understanding of texts about change agents?

  • Can I summarize evidence-based discussions about change agents?

  • Can I develop and clearly communicate meaningful and defensible claims that represent valid, evidence-based analysis of texts about change agents?

Texts

Core

  • Unit Reader
    • “Inaugural Address, 20 January 1961,” John F. Kennedy and Ted Sorensen, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, 1961

Materials

Tools

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Write – Discuss

We will use Learning Logs and text evidence to craft our own definitions of a change agent.

Recall your definition of a change agent in previous lessons. Using this definition, the information collected in your Learning Log, and the texts you have studied thus far as inspiration, write your own definition of a change agent. Share your definition with a partner or group. Write down your new definition in your Vocabulary Journal.

Activity 2: Listen – Write

To prepare for reading or listening to John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address, we will learn about the tradition of inaugural addresses and the challenges facing John F. Kennedy’s presidency as he took the oath of office.

Take notes on the information about John F. Kennedy, the state of the nation when he took office, and the tradition of the inaugural address as an attempt to instill American confidence in a new leader and hope in the country as a whole.

Activity 3: Read

We will begin exploring John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address by focusing on the use of rhetorical strategies.

Using the Rhetorical DeviceNote-Taking Tool, identify the following terms as you read:

  • alliteration

  • anaphora

  • assonance

  • parallelism

Activity 4: Read

We will watch, listen, or read John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address.

Read along with the speech as you listen to the audio or watch the video of John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address.

Activity 5: Discuss

We will discuss our initial reactions to Kennedy’s inaugural address with our peers.

Work with your group; draw upon what you already know about the characteristics of change agents and discuss what aspects of Kennedy’s speech relate to your definition of the term change agent. Give specific examples from the speech.

Activity 6: Write

We will use writing skills to summarize the discussion in our Learning Logs.

Summarize your discussion in your Learning Log by following the steps below:

  • Jot down the key ideas of your discussion.

  • Write down who or what you mainly talked about.

  • Identify two to three important pieces of information linked to the “who” or “what.”

  • Answer questions that will aid in your analysis of the text as it applies to the concept of change.

  • Use your notes to write an objective summary of your discussion.